Ian Schrager Gives Advice on What Every Party Needs at the Studio 54 Documentary Premiere

“Studio 54 is a story that everyone thinks they know but they really don’t,” director Matt Tyrnauer said as he arrived at last night’s premiere for his documentary, Studio 54. Hosted at the Public Hotel by the cocreator of the legendary Studio, Ian Schrager, the glitterati of New York were transported to the ’70s; bell-bottoms, DVF wrap dresses, Elton John–style shades—the disco feels were all there. (Complete with a bowl of mints branded as quaaludes.)

Why was this story being told now, 40 years later? “[Schrager] was so traumatized by the fall of Studio 54 and his own personal fall and when he expressed a willingness to open up to me about it I thought, This is such a great opportunity,” Tyrnauer continued, “and that’s the story that you see on camera.”

On camera and in the crowd, Studio 54 was all around. Marc Benecke, the Studio’s original doorman, stood out front to first greet guests with the same cutthroat attitude of the heyday. Those who made the list were greeted by a disco ball display created by Raúl Àvila, known for his Met Gala decor. Silver confetti coated the floor to the point where guests, afraid of slipping, held onto the firm arms of models in Studio waiter attire: shirtless, black boxers, white socks, and sneaks. Champagne was quickly dispensed on silver trays as Robert De Niro, Arthur and Ansel Elgort, and more were ushered into a red velvet room to sit for the screening, where the magic was conjured again.

The film follows the high rise and steep fall of Schrager and his partner Steve Rubell’s dream of Studio 54. “It’s a perspective about the fantasmic image everybody has of it, and also the real hard-core reality of what it was too,” said fashion designer Norma Kamali, who was Schrager’s girlfriend and created some costumes for a show at the studio. “I thought it was brave and generous of Ian to finally say, ‘People should hear my story and I’m going to tell the real truth, not all these other stories that people have been telling.’ He really bared his soul.”

A panel discussion guided by Tribeca Film Festival cofounder Jane Rosenthal followed the intimate screening. Schrager spoke about his pardon from President Obama for his felony tax evasion charges in 1980. “It brought absolute closure. You know it was 40 years and I didn’t speak about it because I didn’t really want to. I was and still am embarrassed about it . . . .” Schrager said. Obama pardoned Schrager on his last day in office. “I remember my wife and I were quite happy and my son knew something was going on and he came over and wanted to know what happened and I told him, ‘The president said I was a good guy!’ ”

Afterwards, buzzy on Champagne, we all did the hustle up to the roof to dine on sliders and sushi, and ended the night with a sweaty disco party in the basement till dawn. As for how to throw a perfect soiree of your own, party mastermind Schrager wasn’t shy about giving his two cents. “You want to throw a party that elevates everybody’s spirit. There’s still the same criteria: Try and blow everybody away, because it facilitates having fun, which leads to creating a special, magical space.”